“Charlie has a boyfriend.” I glared at Matt. My favorite gremlin had just lost his title.
“Is he—” Squeak. “—coming camping?”
Past them, Nick’s eyelashes fluttered. I would have loved to invite him back into the woods. This time it’d be for a long weekend. I’d show him how to set a trap or cast a line, anything that allowed me to run my arms along his?—
“No,” I blurted out.
Ronnie snickered. “Somebody’s got a crush.”
Nick raised his hands in question, shrugging his shoulders.
If I admitted it, they’d eat me alive. I’d have to deal with an overnight where three little gremlins asked me questions I wasn’t ready to answer. They’d skewer me. I almost chuckled at the overwhelming fear generated by the kids.
“And what if I do?” Straight face. No humor. A tone that suggested I had my axe hidden beneath the table, ready for the first sarcastic comment.
“Good for you.” Jeff patted me on the shoulder. I could feel the sticky fingers on me as he got up.
“Need a mint?” Ronnie reached for his pocket. “I can hook you up.”
“I hate you. And you.” I eyed Matt. “Anything to add?”
“Rawr.” He made a cat scratch motion.
“You’re all dismissed.” I swatted at them. They snatched the botanical books, clutching them to their chests as they dodged my hands. All three ran for the door. They lingered by the window for a moment before running away.
“And what if you do?” Nick said from his table.
The woman behind the counter pretended to wipe the counter as she watched. I’m sure photos had been snapped and texts sent. Did the shop owners keep tabs of who had the cutest moment? How many first dates they had? I bet if I looked hard enough, there’d be a tally board, and she was itching to add another line under her name.
“Want to go for a walk?” She frowned. No points today. I got up, gesturing for the door.
Nick gave the owner a wave before stopping at the door. He reached into his pocket and opened a tiny tin of mints. “You know, for later.”
I glanced back as her eyes lit up, and my cheeks turned red.
Dammit, she had gotten the point.
“So.”
“So,” he repeated.
We meandered across the street onto the green. White tents sprinkled the lawn while the marketers packed up their wares. It wasn’t until we passed a table filled with jars of local honey that I realized this was theactualfarmers’ market and not the craft market. For such a small town, Firefly did enjoy a good market.
“Need anything?”
“Lacie ate all my chocolate.” He huffed. “And my beef jerky.”
“That’s a reason to end a friendship.”
I hadn’t expected to walk about town. In an attempt to score some cool points with the gremlins, I wore a blank tank top with a low neckline and a pair of cargo shorts. I showed off as many tattoos as possible. The trio hadn’t said a word, but the rest of Firefly stared as if I might pull out a switchblade.
I chuckled, letting my fingers graze my pocket. Ididhave a knife in my pocket.
We walked shoulder-to-shoulder along the path, close enough that our arms occasionally brushed. I tried to ignore the casual glances from folks as they packed boxes and broke down their tents. Were they staring because I looked like a ruffian, or because two unknown gentlemen were dangerously close to holding hands?
“You’re a different person.”
I begged to differ. “How so?”
